The World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index ® is the world’s leading source for original data on the rule of law.

The 2016 edition expands coverage to 113 countries and jurisdictions (from 102 in 2015), relying on more than 100,000 household and expert surveys to measure how the rule of law is experienced in practical, everyday situations by the general public worldwide. Performance is measured using 44 indicators across eight primary rule of law factors, each of which is scored and ranked globally and against regional and income peers: Constraints on Government Powers, Absence of Corruption, Open Government, Fundamental Rights, Order and Security, Regulatory Enforcement, Civil Justice, and Criminal Justice.

The World Justice Project (WJP) is an independent, multidisciplinary organization working to advance the rule of law around the world. Effective rule of law reduces corruption, combats poverty and disease, and protects people from injustices large and small. It is the foundation for communities of peace, opportunity, and equity—underpinning development, accountable government, and respect for fundamental rights. Learn more at: worldjusticeproject.org.

Constraints on Government Powers

1.1

Government powers are effectively limited by the legislature

1.2

Government powers are effectively limited by the judiciary

1.3

Government powers are effectively limited by independent auditing and review

1.4

Government officials are sanctioned for misconduct

1.5

Government powers are subject to non-governmental checks

1.6

Transition of power is subject to the law

Absence of Corruption

2.1

Government officials in the executive branch do not use public office for private gain

2.2

Government officials in the judicial branch do not use public office for private gain

2.3

Government officials in the police and the military do not use public office for private gain

2.4

Government officials in the legislative branch do not use public office for private gain

Open Government

3.1

Publicized laws and government data

3.2

Right to information

3.3

Civic participation

3.4

Complaint mechanisms

Fundamental Rights

4.1

Equal treatment and absence of discrimination

4.2

The right to life and security of the person is effectively guaranteed

4.3

Due process of law and rights of the accused

4.4

Freedom of opinion and expression is effectively guaranteed

4.5

Freedom of belief and religion is effectively guaranteed

4.6

Freedom from arbitrary interference with privacy is effectively guaranteed

4.7

Freedom of assembly and association is effectively guaranteed

4.8

Fundamental labor rights are effectively guaranteed

Order and Security

5.1

Crime is effectively controlled

5.2

Civil conflict is effectively limited

5.3

People do not resort to violence to redress personal grievances

Regulatory Enforcement

6.1

Government regulations are effectively enforced

6.2

Government regulations are applied and enforced without improper influence

6.3

Administrative proceedings are conducted without unreasonable delay

6.4

Due process is respected in administrative proceedings

6.5

The government does not expropriate without lawful process and adequate compensation

Civil Justice

7.1

People can access and afford civil justice

7.2

Civil justice is free of discrimination

7.3

Civil justice is free of corruption

7.4

Civil justice is free of improper government influence

7.5

Civil justice is not subject to unreasonable delay

7.6

Civil justice is effectively enforced

7.7

ADR is accessible, impartial, and effective

Criminal Justice

8.1

Criminal investigation system is effective

8.2

Criminal adjudication system is timely and effective

8.3

Correctional system is effective in reducing criminal behavior

8.4

Criminal system is impartial

8.5

Criminal system is free of corruption

8.6

Criminal system is free of improper government influence

8.7

Due process of law and rights of the accused

WJP Rule of Law Index®

The WJP Rule of Law Index® measures how the rule of law is experienced in everyday life around the globe.

Data

The Index relies on over 100,000 households and 2,400 expert surveys to measure adherence to the rule of law. It is the most comprehensive index of its kind and the only one to rely solely on primary data.

Indicators

Adherence is assessed using 44 indicators organized around eight themes: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice.

Scores

Each indicator receives a score and rank. Scores range from 0 (weak rule of law) to 1 (strong rule of law).

Explore

You can view scores and rankings via the map view, radar view, or table view.

Compare

You can view individual country profiles and draw comparisons between the scores of the featured country and the scores of other indexed countries that share regional and income level similarities.